Coastal management at Kaikoura: resource use and management options

Abstract

The planning and management system for the Kaikoura coast is identified and discussed in relation to its effectiveness in resolving or ameliorating the resource use problems and conflicts, and several management and planning options are considered.

The Kaikoura coastal zone is a varied and complex system providing for a wide variety of uses including recreation, scenery preservation, agriculture, commercial fishing, urban settlement, road and rail transport. The physical instability of the coastal area presents problems to the resource users particularly the road and rail links. The use of such a relatively narrow area also results in resource use conflicts.

The agencies responsible for managing the coastal area, the legislation under which they operate and their policies, goals and objectives are identified and discussed in terms of their effectiveness in resolving or ameliorating the resource use conflicts. The policies goals and objectives of some agencies are readily identifiable and are aimed at resolving resource use conflicts, while other agencies policies are less well developed. The use of substantial areas of the Kaikoura coastal zone is not adequately planned for with no comprehensive or participatory planning framework.

Several management options and their implications for resource use are presented. They are; continue as at present ie. the status quo, maritime planning, an informal management plan, and marine reserves. The status quo was found to be inadequate. Each of the other options have their advantages and disadvantages but all would in some way enhance tile management and planning system of the Kaikoura coast. Maritime planning would provide comprehensive planning for the marine area and a management scheme which would have public involvement and statutory power. It would not provide for integrated planning across the land/sea interface. An informal management plan could al low for integrated planning across this boundary and would encourage co-operation between all the management agencies. The disadvantages are that there is no statutory requirement for public participation, the plan would have no statutory force and there would be no right of appeal to an independent tribunal. Marine reserves as proposed under the Marine Reserves Bill 1982 could provide preservationist or conservationist type planning and management for particular areas of the coast. While the focus is less comprehensive than the other options it does allow for the development of policies and objectives through management plans and provides for public participation.